Five Actors Will 'Howl' with 'Pineapple Express' Star

David Strathairn, Alan Alda, Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker and Paul Rudd are set to join James Franco in "Howl."

Oscar-winning documentarians Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman will make their narrative writing-directing-producing debuts on the beatnik biopic which stars Franco as Allen Ginsberg.

The film will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ginsberg's epic poem "Howl" and will feature animated visualizations of the poem courtesy of graphic novelist Eric Drooker.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new cast additions will play various historical figures from the obscenity trial surrounding the publication of "Howl."

The trade says Strathairn ("Good Night and Good Luck") will play prosecuting attorney Ralph McIntosh, Alda ("The West Wing") will play Judge Clayton Horn, Daniels ("Traitor") will be Professor David Kirk, Parker ("Weeds") will be Gail Potter and Rudd ("Knocked Up") will play Luther Nichols.

"Howl" will be produced by Gus Van Sant, who directed Franco in the upcoming "Milk."